Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

"Kenryu, Enryu, are you two alright?"

After Kumoi left, Rurichiyo quickly walked over to them, asking with concern.

"No, we're fine, Rurichiyo-sama. It was my incompetence that failed to protect you just now."

Kenryu couldn't help but say guiltily.

"Alright, let's not talk about that for now. This guy Kumoi suddenly bringing up Rurichiyo's marriage is a bit troublesome..."

Toshiro scratched his head, a bit annoyed.

If Rurichiyo continued to hide in the 10th Division, Kumoi's sneaky assassination attempts would be hard to pull off.

But Rurichiyo's marriage was an internal affair of the Kasumioji Clan, and even someone of Toshiro's status would find it difficult to intervene.

That's why Kumoi had given up on those underhanded methods and openly came to the 10th Division, using Rurichiyo's marriage as an excuse to legitimately take her away.

But precisely because of this, Toshiro found it hard to interfere.

Just then, Rurichiyo suddenly came up to Toshiro and said, "Toshiro, you have to believe me. I don't want to marry that Kannogi kid at all. If I'm going to marry anyone, it would be Toshiro..."

As she spoke, Rurichiyo started to blush.

"Yes, yes, I know."

Toshiro said helplessly.

At that moment, Sojiro suddenly ran over from the distance.

"Captain, Lieutenant Sasakibe from the 1st Division is here to visit."

Sojiro reported.

"Lieutenant Sasakibe is here again?"

Toshiro said thoughtfully.

"Rurichiyo, I have something to deal with now, so I'll be going. Don't overthink the wedding matter for now. Wait until I get back. In any case, I won't let you get hurt."

Toshiro reassured Rurichiyo, then left with Sojiro.

…

10th Division, Captain's Office.

"Lieutenant Sasakibe, you're here again. Does this mean there's news from Amagai?"

Toshiro got straight to the point without any unnecessary words.

"Mm, that's right. Captain Amagai sent word that Kumoi contacted him, saying that in two days, the Kasumioji and Kannogi wedding would divert the attention of everyone in the Seireitei, and he would take the opportunity to hand over the Bakkoto."

Sasakibe explained seriously.

"What?"

Toshiro couldn't help but frown.

"No wonder Kumoi didn't insist on taking Rurichiyo away right then. It seems he doesn't plan to act against her immediately, but intends to do so after the wedding. And on the wedding day itself, he plans to secretly hand over the Bakkoto!"

If the wedding proceeded, Rurichiyo would have to return to the Kasumioji Residence regardless. A little sooner or later made no big difference to Kumoi, so he could wait until after the wedding to act against her.

Moreover, diverting everyone's attention on the wedding day and handing over the Bakkoto to Shusuke was undoubtedly the least likely method to be discovered.

…

Night, with a sparse moon and few stars.

Rurichiyo sat on the roof of a building, looking up at the sky.

"Watching the stars again?"

Toshiro suddenly appeared on the rooftop.

"Stupid Toshiro, it's moon-gazing. It's so bright, and there are barely any stars in the sky. I can only look at the moon."

Rurichiyo said with a cute snort.

"Yes, yes, I'm stupid."

Toshiro said nonchalantly, sitting down beside her.

"Thinking about the wedding?"

Toshiro looked at the night sky.

"Mm."

Rurichiyo said, her mood low.

The wedding was an internal affair of the Kasumioji Clan. Even if Toshiro wanted to help, it would be hard for him to directly intervene.

Moreover, noble weddings involved many things. Even if Rurichiyo was unwilling, she couldn't easily break off the engagement.

So, strictly speaking, Rurichiyo had no way to avoid it.

"Actually, you don't need to worry. On the wedding day, the Gotei 13 and I will take action to catch Kumoi red-handed and bring him to justice. So the wedding won't be able to proceed."

Toshiro comforted her.

But Rurichiyo was still worried: "But, what if..."

"Yare yare, if you're this worried, then don't go."

Toshiro said helplessly.

"Don't go? Is that really okay?"

Rurichiyo asked, both happy and worried.

"Of course it's okay. Leave things like Kumoi and the wedding to me to handle."

Toshiro said.

"Wouldn't that cause trouble for you, Toshiro?"

Rurichiyo asked.

"Well, it is a bit troublesome, but it's just some trouble. I can handle it."

Although he spoke lightly, Toshiro couldn't help but rub his forehead in annoyance. Obviously, it wasn't as easy as he made it sound.

If Rurichiyo didn't show up, the wedding naturally couldn't proceed, and the Bakkoto handover might be delayed again.

To avoid further complications, Toshiro would then have to use the Bakkoto from Shusuke or Kibune as evidence and forcibly enter the Kasumioji Residence to search.

But doing so would inevitably involve Shusuke, and the newly formed Central 46 might use this matter to criticize the Gotei 13.

Nevertheless, even so, if Rurichiyo really didn't want to attend the wedding, Toshiro would never force her.

"I'll still go!"

Rurichiyo suddenly said.

"What?"

Toshiro exclaimed in surprise.

"I mean, I'll return to the Kasumioji Residence on the wedding day. Although you said I don't have to go, such a willful act would trouble you, wouldn't it?"

Rurichiyo reached out with her smooth, fair little hand and gently massaged Toshiro's temples.

"It's time to wake up and shoulder the responsibility of the Kasumioji Clan. Besides, I've caused you so much trouble all this time. Now it's time for me to help you."

"So let me go then!"

Rurichiyo's emerald green eyes shone with sincere light as she looked directly at Toshiro.

"Rurichiyo has grown up."

Toshiro said with some emotion.

Rurichiyo snorted cutely: "Hmph, I grew up a long time ago. And you, Toshiro, obviously about the same age as me, always acting like an old man."

As she spoke, Rurichiyo rubbed Toshiro's forehead hard.

"That hurts..."

Toshiro 'yelped' in pain, then 'angrily' retaliated by tickling Rurichiyo's armpits.

"Giggle... that tickles... stop..."

"I was wrong, Toshiro, stop tickling..."

Under the bright moon, Toshiro and Rurichiyo played and laughed, casting all worries aside.

…

Two days later.

Toshiro, Rurichiyo, Kenryu, Enryu, Rangiku, Momo, Sojiro, Ashido, and others gathered together.

Today was the day of Rurichiyo's wedding to the Kannogi Clan. Besides Rurichiyo herself, who had to attend, Toshiro, the two Lieutenants, and the two 3rd Seats of the 10th Division would also be present.

Because once decisive evidence was obtained, Toshiro and his group would immediately move to arrest Kumoi and his followers, then thoroughly search the Kasumioji Residence.

And at that time, Kumoi would definitely not sit idly by, so a battle was inevitable. In the plan previously discussed by Toshiro, Yamamoto, and Shusuke, the 10th Division would take the lead in this operation.

So Toshiro planned to bring all of the 10th Division's high-level combat power with him.

"Rurichiyo, are you sure you want to come along?"

Toshiro asked seriously once more.

"Mm, Toshiro, you don't need to say more. I've already made up my mind."

Rurichiyo's small face was serious.

"Since you've decided, then… let's set off!"

With Toshiro's command, the group of eight headed in force towards the Kasumioji Residence.